Selection and use of nitrogen fertilizer

Nitrogen fertilizer is an indispensable part of agricultural production, providing crops with the necessary nitrogen nutrition and promoting plant growth and development. Selecting the right type of nitrogen fertilizer and using it properly are important measures to ensure high crop yields. This article will discuss in detail the types, selection methods and usage techniques of nitrogen fertilizers, and provide farmers with scientific fertilization guidance.

1. Types of nitrogen fertilizers

Nitrogen fertilizers can be divided into the following main types based on their chemical composition and production process:

• Urea: One of the common nitrogen fertilizers, it is highly efficient and fast-dissolving, and is suitable for a variety of soils and crops.
• Ammonium sulfate: Sulfur-nitrogen fertilizer, suitable for sulfur-deficient soils and can improve crop quality.
• Ammonium bicarbonate: A fast-acting nitrogen fertilizer, suitable for use as top dressing, but easily decomposed by moisture.
• Ammonium chloride: It is highly acidic and suitable for alkaline soils, but should not be used on chlorine-sensitive crops.

2. Selection of nitrogen fertilizer

When choosing a suitable nitrogen fertilizer, you need to consider the following factors:

• Soil type: Different nitrogen fertilizers have different effects on soil pH, so you need to choose the right nitrogen fertilizer based on the soil type. For example, ammonium sulfate can be used for alkaline soil, while urea can be used for acidic soil.
• Crop types: Different crops have different demands for nitrogen. For example, wheat and corn have high demands for nitrogen, so urea with high nitrogen content can be selected. For crops with low nitrogen demands, such as beans and sweet potatoes, ammonium bicarbonate can be selected.
• Timing of fertilization: Nitrogen fertilizer is generally divided into base fertilizer and top dressing. Base fertilizer can be long-acting nitrogen fertilizer, such as urea; top dressing can be quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, such as ammonium bicarbonate.

3. Tips for using nitrogen fertilizer

In order to achieve the best effect of nitrogen fertilizer application, the following points should be noted:

• Reasonable dosage: The amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be determined based on soil test results, crop demand and specific growth stage to avoid excessive fertilization leading to soil pollution and crop growth disorders.
• Suitable time: Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied in stages according to the crop growth stage, such as base fertilizer before sowing, and topdressing during the key growth period of crop, such as jointing stage, heading stage, etc.
• Fertilization method: Nitrogen fertilizer can be applied by hole application, strip application or broadcasting. Pay attention to the appropriate depth to avoid volatilization or loss of nitrogen fertilizer.
• Combined with other fertilizers: Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied in coordination with other nutrients such as phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer to improve the comprehensive utilization rate of fertilizer efficiency.

In short, scientific and reasonable selection and use of nitrogen fertilizer can not only improve crop yield and quality, but also protect the soil environment and achieve sustainable agricultural development. When applying nitrogen fertilizer, farmers must apply fertilizer scientifically according to their own land conditions and crop needs to ensure high efficiency of agricultural production.